Using Landline or Cellphone
Check your international plan. Contact your service provider and ask them about the pricing for international calls. The rates may vary depending on the provider and the connection you use (landline or mobile). Making international calls to landlines is typically cheaper than calling to mobile ones. Most providers offer special international plans, so if you intend to call Nigeria frequently, it would be wise to go for such a plan. They will probably charge a monthly fee for that. Alternatively, choose a fixed rate per minute if you are making only occasional calls.
Dial the exit code. The one for US is 011. It will also work, if you are calling from Canada.
Add the Nigeria country code. Dial 234 for that.
Dial the phone number. Its format will depend on the type of the network you are calling to (landline or mobile). For landlines you will need to add the area code first. The area code typically consists of 1 or 2 digits. Then dial the phone number itself. It is usually 7 or 8 digits. Thus, your destination number will look like this: 011 234 [area code] XXX XXXX. For mobile number you don’t need the area code. A cellphone number is 10 digits long. Thus, the destination number will look like this: 011 234 XX XXXX XXXX.
Using a VoIP Service
Connect to a nearby free Wi-Fi to avoid spending money on your cellular data. Places like shopping malls, restaurants or hotels usually have one.
Choose a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service. It can be either a desktop program or a mobile app. Some of the popular ones are Skype, WhatsApp and Viber. Choose the one that has the cheapest calling rates for Nigerian phone numbers. Most services, however, will allow you to make cheap calls to many countries.
Download the app or software you have chosen. Search for the app online and visit their official website. Avoid downloading the unofficial clients as they might contain malicious software. Most of the VoIP services have free app-to-app calls, so if you the person you are calling to has the same app or software installed, you will pay nothing for it.
Dial the phone number. Remember to always type the Nigerian country code first (234). Additionally dial the area code if you are calling to a landline phone number. Follow the instructions provided by the app or software. Typically many Android and iOS mobile apps can access your address book, making things easier for you as you won’t need to type in the number manually each time. Some of the apps also preserve the original phone number of the caller. It can be helpful if you need to call your local bank that identifies its clients by the phone number. If your call isn’t going through, check your Internet connection first. Then, confirm that the person you’re calling to can accept international calls or calls from an internet service.
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